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Location

Santa Barbara, CA | United States

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Job description

SALARY

$39.23 - $47.16 Hourly
$81,886.07 - $98,424.40 Annually  

The County of Santa Barbara is currently accepting applications to fill two (2) Full-Time Public Information Specialist  positions. There is currently one (1) vacancy at the Fire Department and one (1) English/Spanish Bilingual vacancy at the Public Health Department.
 
The Fire Department’s vacancy will be based out of the  Fire Headquarters in Santa Barbara; however, the Fire Department has offices throughout the County and the incumbent must be willing to travel to and be willing to accept assignment at all locations. The Public Health Department’s vacancy will be homebased out of Santa Barbara at the Calle Real Campus , with a hybrid work schedule. 


Please be sure to indicate  on your application all of the locations  you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps and are in the area of selection, your name will be sent to the hiring manager(s) of the vacancy location(s) you have expressed you are willing to work. 

 
BENEFITS : The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or  CLICK HERE to view more information.


In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: 

• Retirement reciprocity  
• Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate  

POSITION: Under general direction of the Public Information Officer (PIO) develops and implements department-wide public information programs and campaigns related to the department’s mission, including marketing, outreach, and/or customer service activities; may act as departmental spokesperson; may supervise staff; and performs related duties in the absence of the PIO or as required.

 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Public Information Specialist is an advanced journey-level, professional class. Incumbents develop, administer, and coordinate all public information activities for a department. Incumbents act with considerable independence and are distinguished from Public Information Assistants by their responsibility for collecting and analyzing market research data, developing program recommendations, designing marketing and public information campaigns, providing professional marketing advice to executive staff, and acting as departmental spokespersons. Incumbents in the Public Information Assistant class work under closer supervision and are primarily responsible for the preparation and dissemination of program or project information to the community through a variety of media.

 
Hiring Department Information
Please visit the following pages to learn more about the specific roles and requirements in the hiring departments:

 
Fire Department:   Click  here to learn more about the position with the Fire Department and click  here   to visit the website to learn more about the department. 

 
Public Health Department (PHD) : Click   to learn more about the position with the Public Health Department and click  here to visit the website to learn more about the department . 

1. Plans and directs the development and implementation of media programs or campaigns designed to keep the County internal staff and external public informed of departmental services, accomplishments, or agendas; studies departmental mandates, objectives, and policies in order to promote the department’s services, missions, and goals; designs departmental or program logos; establishes departmental or program brands; and designs, procures, and distributes promotional items to convey the department or program’s goals, message, presence, image, and/or effectiveness.
2. Establishes research methodologies and designs formats for data gathering, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires; collects and analyzes data to measure public opinion and determine whether customers’ needs and expectations are being met; translates complex numerical/statistical data into non-technical, written text; prepares reports and graphic illustrations of findings; makes recommendations to management to establish new or modify existing programs or services; and prepares related grant applications.
3. Prepares and distributes fact sheets, news releases, and public information announcements to media representatives and others; selects promotional media to most efficiently and effectively reach target market; purchases advertising space and time in various media; and may act as departmental spokesperson, including participation in television, radio, and print interviews.
4. Designs, writes, edits, and produces public information materials such as display advertising, brochures, flyers, direct mail materials, newsletters, and videos; develops, designs, and updates departmental Website; and prepares and edits in-house materials and publications.
5. Plans and conducts event marketing activities; represents department at public and business gatherings; selects and arranges for guest speakers for staff events, training, seminars, and conferences; and hosts lectures, exhibits, workshops, and informational exchange forums.
6. Develops and conducts community outreach campaigns, including establishing partnerships with local government and non-profit agencies to educate the public about the existence and availability of departmental services and to increase program participation among groups that have shown a hesitance to utilize the department’s services; makes presentations to government bodies, schools, employer groups, and community organizations; and represents department on local boards, commissions, and committees.
7. Develops, conducts, and arranges for customer service and other training for departmental staff based upon market research; evaluates the effectiveness of existing training programs and makes recommendations to management for training modifications; makes recommendations to management for modifications to departmental policies and procedures to improve communications and messaging as needed; and counsels staff in effective ways of communicating with the public.
8. May interview, select, and train clerical and/or paraprofessional staff; assign and review work; evaluate staff performance; and participate in disciplinary action.

1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Marketing or closely related field and three years of professional experience developing and conducting public information or marketing campaigns; OR ,
2. Possession of an associate’s degree in Marketing or closely related field and five years of professional experience developing and conducting public information or marketing campaigns; OR ,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of:

principles and practices of marketing business services, including advertising, graphic design, and establishing brands; media production, communication, and dissemination techniques via written, oral, and visual media; principles and practices of public relations, including client-media relations; customer service standards and techniques, including needs assessment techniques, quality service standards, and customer satisfaction evaluation techniques; English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax; statistics; research methods; and presentation and desktop publishing software programs.
 
Ability to: communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; make presentations to large and small groups; work effectively with a variety of individuals and groups; gather and analyze data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations; work independently; learn and apply principles and practices of supervision; prepare written correspondence and reports; compile and prepare statistical reports; establish, balance, and adjust priorities; read and learn department-specific policies, procedures, and related laws and regulations; identify consequences of actions; listen effectively; influence and promote change; persuade others to approach issues and ideas differently; motivate and train staff; maintain confidentiality of information; effectively handle political and sensitive issues; represent the department accurately to the media; use a personal computer and standard software applications; and learn and use programming languages such as Java and HTML. APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS : 

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and autoscored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

 
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS : The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider, or learning institution.

 
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

 
The Fire Department   requires candidates to pass a background check process , a medical evaluation, and a psychological evaluation. Please click here the link to learn more about the background and hiring process for the Fire Department.

 
The Public Health Department (PHD) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the PHD Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based  on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected c andidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

 
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

 
Disaster Service Workers : Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

 
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT   
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.  

 
We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.  

 
We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County’s mission and to embody a culture of “One County, One Future” Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.  

 
We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.  

 
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE : 03/01/2024by 4:59 PM PST.  Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at .

Farrah Medrano, Talent Acquisition Lead

Public Health Department,  [email protected] .

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Salary